Camp Cunningham receives first Chaplain

Published May 16, 2007
By Capt. Nora Eyle
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Montoya has the distinct honor of being the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's first permanently assigned chaplain and it's an honor he doesn't take lightly.

"My job is very rewarding, because I'm able to see the good we can do, first hand. Deployments can be especially stressful for an Airman and their family back home, so I try to do anything I can do to help them," the chaplain said.

Chaplain Montoya is permanently stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss and has been stationed there for about two years.

There are many reasons why chaplains play an important role in deployed locations, but Chaplain Montoya believes nothing is more important than being a good listener because sometimes people just need someone to talk to.

As a prior enlisted Security Forces Airman, with two additional deployments under his belt, he knows that deployments can be challenging, both professionally and personally. He feels his role is "to help Airmen so they continue to do what they need to do to meet the mission."

Chaplains engage in privileged communication, which means Airmen can speak freely with them and what they talk about cannot be revealed unless permission is given by the individual.

Chaplains also can act as a gauge for commanders and they often provide advice on ethical and morale issues for the units.

Visibility is crucial to his profession and because of this Chaplain Montoya has been walking around to the camp's work and public areas to make sure that he's meeting the Airmen he will be serving.

"I think it's important for the wing to have their own chaplain," said Montoya. "Before I arrived, other chaplains served the wing, but with over 3,000 Airman in the 455th, a chaplain that is visible and lives side by side with the Airmen he serves is essential."

He's recently moved into his new office and is working on getting a phone and a computer, so he encourages stopovers as the best way to get in touch with him. His office is located in Bldg 715, room four in the tower building.